Evolva Starts Commercial Resveratrol Production

May 28, 2014 01:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

REINACH, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evolva Holding SA (SIX: EVE) today announces the start of
commercial production of its resveratrol ingredient. Evolva has
succeeded in optimising and scaling the fermentation process, resulting
in competitive production costs that allow a commercial launch. Evolva’s
resveratrol is high-purity (>98% pure trans-Resveratrol), with
a controlled and reliable supply chain, produced from natural and
sustainable feedstocks. It is the only resveratrol product made by
brewing.

Evolva has appointed a contract manufacturer in North America to produce
commercial batches of resveratrol and expects to receive first
deliveries in Q3 2014. Work on further reducing production costs will
continue post-launch. Discussions with a global network of distributors
are ongoing to accelerate sales post-launch.

Evolva has commenced pre-launch commercial activities and will attend
the Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo on
22-24 June (New Orleans, USA). Amongst other launch activities planned
for resveratrol in the second half of 2014, Evolva will have a booth at
the SupplySide West 2014 Expo (Las Vegas, USA) between 6-10 October
2014. At this Expo, executives from around the world gather to discuss
the latest trends in the areas of animal nutrition, personal care, food,
beverage and dietary supplements.

- ends -

About

Evolva is a pioneer and global leader in sustainable, fermentation-based
approaches to ingredients for health, wellness and nutrition. Evolva’s
products include stevia, vanilla, saffron and resveratrol. As well as
developing its own proprietary ingredients, Evolva also deploys its
technology for partners, providing them with a competitive edge and
sharing in the returns they make. For more information see www.evolva.com.

About resveratrol

Resveratrol is a compound produced in grapes and other plants. It occurs
in red wine, albeit at low concentrations. Scientific and clinical
research indicates that resveratrol may have benefits against several
age related health conditions, in particular those associated with
diabetes, inflammation and cardiovascular health.

Most resveratrol products on the market today are low-purity Chinese
extracts obtained from the roots of the Japanese knotweed, an invasive
weed. Other natural sources include the skin of grapes and berries such
as lingonberries but commercially available products tend to be low
purity and expensive. There is also a synthetic version of resveratrol.

Evolva’s product is high-purity (>98%), with a controlled and reliable
supply chain, produced via yeast fermentation from natural and
sustainable feedstocks. It is the only resveratrol product made by
brewing. It has Self-Affirmed GRAS (“Generally Recognised As Safe”)
status in the United States and Novel Foods authorisation in the
European Union for use in Dietary Supplements. A ruling in 2013 by the
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is expected to facilitate
the approval process for the product in Japan.

Today, by far the largest use of resveratrol is in dietary supplements
but there is considerable room for expansion as the market is still in
its infancy. Over time Evolva believes resveratrol could also be used
more widely in food and beverage products, personal care and animal
health and nutrition.

This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g.
statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar
expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a
substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation,
development or performance of the company and those explicitly or
implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these
uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update
forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or
developments.